Originally Posted by
gundoc
They were developed and manufactured during WW2 for behind-the-lines use by the Commandos, SOE agents, etc. specifically for the silent killing of sentries. They were also used to great effect in Burma for shooting Japs as they sat in the back of trucks travelling on jungle roads. 5 or 6 men with De Lisles concealed along a 10 mile stretch of jungle road, shooting 1 Jap each from each vehicle in total silence played havoc with Japanese morale. There were only about 200 made and they are extraordinarily rare in private hands anywhere in the World, hence the market for good replicas. I have been fortunate to have handled a couple of originals in the UK and was allowed to photograph, disassemble and measure them.
